Provider-Patient Communication and Pediatric Hospital Utilization
Abstract
Abstract:
Background: Provider-patient communication has been shown to affect patient satisfaction with care, treatment adherence, and follow-up. However, little is known about the impact of poor provider-patient communication on hospital services utilization in the pediatric population.
Methods: Data for this study were from the 2016-2021 National Survey of Children and Households (NSCH). Our key independent variable was a composite score of four questions that examined the quality of provider-patient communication. We run two separate multivariable logistic regressions to examine the association between poor provider-patient communication and two outcome variables of interest - emergency department use and in-hospital stay - adjusting for potential confounding factors. All analyses were weighted to account for the complex sampling design of the NSCH.
Results: Between 2016 and 2021, about 5,000,000 parents of children reported poor communication with their providers. About 40 percent of these were minority racial groups. In our multivariable models, children whose parents reported poor communication experience with [the child’s] providers were more likely to visit the ER (aOR=1.33 [95%CI, 1.23,1.44]). This effect was less pronounced for Black children than for White children (aOR=0.76 [95%CI, 0.61, 0.95]). In addition, poor communication led to increased pediatric hospital stays (aOR=1.43[95%CI, 1.20, 1.70]). However, race was not found to moderate this relationship.
Conclusion: Poor provider-patient communication may lead to an increase in potentially avoidable emergency department and inpatient utilization.
Keywords: Maternal and child health, communication, Hospital Utilization, child health, Emergency Room, Hospital stays
Keywords
Maternal and child health, communication, Hospital Utilization, child health, Emergency Room, Hospital stays
Provider-Patient Communication and Pediatric Hospital Utilization
Abstract:
Background: Provider-patient communication has been shown to affect patient satisfaction with care, treatment adherence, and follow-up. However, little is known about the impact of poor provider-patient communication on hospital services utilization in the pediatric population.
Methods: Data for this study were from the 2016-2021 National Survey of Children and Households (NSCH). Our key independent variable was a composite score of four questions that examined the quality of provider-patient communication. We run two separate multivariable logistic regressions to examine the association between poor provider-patient communication and two outcome variables of interest - emergency department use and in-hospital stay - adjusting for potential confounding factors. All analyses were weighted to account for the complex sampling design of the NSCH.
Results: Between 2016 and 2021, about 5,000,000 parents of children reported poor communication with their providers. About 40 percent of these were minority racial groups. In our multivariable models, children whose parents reported poor communication experience with [the child’s] providers were more likely to visit the ER (aOR=1.33 [95%CI, 1.23,1.44]). This effect was less pronounced for Black children than for White children (aOR=0.76 [95%CI, 0.61, 0.95]). In addition, poor communication led to increased pediatric hospital stays (aOR=1.43[95%CI, 1.20, 1.70]). However, race was not found to moderate this relationship.
Conclusion: Poor provider-patient communication may lead to an increase in potentially avoidable emergency department and inpatient utilization.
Keywords: Maternal and child health, communication, Hospital Utilization, child health, Emergency Room, Hospital stays
